[duckhams]

BUILD SPECIFICATIONS:
Tank Manufacturer: Miracles Aquariums
Tank Dimensions: 36" x 18" x 16.5" (typical 40 gallon breeder size)
Tank Details: Rimless - 3-Sides Low Iron (Starphire) - Bottom Braced

Sump Manufacturer: Miracles Aquariums
Sump Dimensions: 23" x 14" x 16"
Sump Details: 2-Sections = Drain/Skimmer - Return.

Stand Manufacturer: Miracles Aquariums
Stand Dimensions: 36" x 18" x 38" (LxWxH)
Stand Details: 'Espresso Style' Maple Stand - Black Finish

Overflow: Reef Synergy 16" Overflow Box for BeanAnimal System with 1" Drain Lines
Return Pump: EcoTech Marine M1 Vectra with 3/4" Return Lines
Powerheads: 2 x MP40 Quiet Drive's
Skimmer: Vertex Omega 130
Lighting: 3 x Radion XR15PRO's
Filtration: 2 x 4" Filter Socks 200 microns & 1 x In-line DIY GFO/Carbon Reactor

GOALS:
The goal with this system is to have an easy to manage system that requires little maintenance and maximizes automation to minimize the need for a tank sitter when I have to travel for work. This will affect the coral/fish that I keep in the system as well as the equipment setup. I've also chosen equipment that will make the system as quiet as possible, Vectra M1 return, MP40QD powerheads etc, as the tank will be right next to my desk (home office).
Hopefully I'll have the tank, sump and stand this week and can begin getting the plumbing ready, water test it and get the system in place. I got some parts from BRS this week to get the plumbing ready (pics below).

SUMP LAYOUT: DRAIN LINES/SKIMMER SECTION - RETURN PUMP SECTION.

 

[duckhams]

Reef Synergy 16" Overflow Box

The overflow arrived already! They are very well packaged. This is what I pulled out of the box I got from BRS along with a few other things.

*ADDITIONAL NOTE ABOUT REEF SYNERGY WARRANTY* - For the warranty to apply the overflow must be used with a tank stand built by Reef Synergy, or a stand that they approve in writing before use. Contact them ahead of time and make sure to get approval BEFORE you install the overflow.

The rear box is connected with internal bulkheads to in-tank overflow box upside down to save space in packaging. The rear box actually sits lower than the inside box when mounted to the tank.

Magnetic weir has surprisingly strong magnets.

This looks really sharp!

Bulkheads are included, which is nice. And the side/bottom panels of the rear box are see through so you can check on your water level and plumbing for blockages etc.

Rabbet joints are used on all corners.

One of the corners has some bubbles. I contacted Rick at Reef Synergy and he assured me that this would not affect the structural integrity of the outer box and that if there are bubbles, they are sealed with a secondary sealant, which you can see in these photo's. Im not concerned about them as they won't be visible and the construction of the box is very solid.

I haven't water tested the box yet, but I doubt I will have any issues.

A few plumbing parts for the BeanAnimal overflow, return lines and a DIY in-line GFO/Carbon reactor. The silicone tubing is for the connection to the return pump to mitigate any noise from vibration, and bacteria/algae will not grow on silicone tubing as it would on PVC/vinyl tubing.

 

[duckhams]

Substrate : Fiji Pink

I've always used Seaflor Special Grade Reef Sand with good success, it's a nice bright white, but always found the smaller grain size sands more aesthetically pleasing. So im going to use Fiji Pink Aragonite on this setup and see how that works. I think the smaller grain size will help trap detritus on the surface for easier cleaning, the Special Grade stuff is a larger grain and detritus tends to sink through it.

 

[duckhams]

Custom Tank Stand by Miracles

The plumbing is starting to come together. The Synergy Reef Overflow is fitted and looks awesome. I've kept the return lines really short as I have 2 of them at 3/4" and probably only needed one on such a small system. But I like the symmetry so it's all good.
I've also started to paint the inside of the stand with KILZ. I've had great luck with this paint on my current system with spills and drips, so im using it again. I also like the inside of the stand to be white as it makes things easier to see when I have the stand lights on (LED strips). Once painted I'll seal the bottom of the stand with silicone. I love this point in a build, so much fun!

Im really pleased with the tank from Miracles, it's solid and looks great with the overflow and plumbing installed. The clean black silicone lines look really sharp!

 

[silent1mezzo]

Excited to see how this turns out! Along for the ride.

 

[duckhams]

The plumbing is coming along, my least favourite part of a new tank build. I found a clear primer which helps keep things looking clean compared to the purple primer which I get everywhere! And I went with a proper gate valve this time on the BeanAnimal overflow, the ball valves are ok but I really want to dial this one in for absolute silence. (the Vectra M1 will help with that too). I've tried to keep the plumbing openings in the stand as small as possible so that the stand contains as much noise as possible. We'll see how much of a difference that really makes.

 

[Flexin5]

Looks great, I like the black pvc. do you need the primer and the pvc cement when doing the plumbing?

 

[duckhams]

I have always used the primer/cleaner but I know some do not. It prepares the joints/fittings for bonding. Basically, the cement is welding the two pieces together and creating 1 solid piece rather than two separate pieces that are stuck together with an adhesive between them, the primer removes any debris, dirt or residues that could impede that process, though it's likely not critical to for our application.

 

[kamal]

I have always used the primer/cleaner but I know some do not. It prepares the joints/fittings for bonding. Basically, the cement is welding the two pieces together and creating 1 solid piece rather than two separate pieces that are stuck together with an adhesive between them, the primer removes any debris, dirt or residues that could impede that process, though it's likely not critical to for our application.

But better safe than sorry I guess nothing wrong with doing things in a robust manner

 

[duckhams]

But better safe than sorry I guess nothing wrong with doing things in a robust manner

My thought exactly!

 

[fesso clown]

following along. considering doing a downgrade and I'll be watching closely. Looks great so far!

 

[duckhams]

following along. considering doing a downgrade and I'll be watching closely. Looks great so far!

Thanks! Im really pleased with it so far, but we'll see how it looks once I get my rock work in there.

 

[fesso clown]

What are your stocking plans?

 

[duckhams]

What are your stocking plans?

I currently have 9 fish in my 75 gallon, but im planning to let a couple anthias and a leopard wrasse go. So i'll end up with the following:
2 x Clownfish
1 x Potters Wrasse
1 x Melanurus Wrase
1 x Pink Spot Goby
1 x Lyretail Anthias (maybe no anthias, I might sell all 3, 2 x females and 1 x male)
(i'd like to add a couple smaller fish, royal gramma's, fire fish, blennies or similar instead).

 

[Yellowtang]

Duckhams 40g Reef Build

Great looking system, I'm also impressed with the way you plumb your systems, very neat and clean. Are you planning to use LED's or T-5's on your new system?

 

[duckhams]

Great looking system, I'm also impressed with the way you plumb your systems, very neat and clean. Are you planning to use LED's or T-5's on your new system?

Thank you! I listed that in the full build specs in the first post. Im going to use 3 x XR15Pro's. 1 x XR15Pro for every 12" of tank, overkill I know but that's why their intensity is adjustable, I can just dial them down.

 

[duckhams]

I've updated the first post (setup specs) with the new sump, slightly smaller, leaving more room for ATO, doser and APEX mounting.

 

[duckhams]

Sump - gfo reactor - plumbing

I got the three drain lines hard plumbed today, and the GFO reactor fitted. Im now trying to work out where to put the mini-manifold for the GFO reactor, on the vertical line from the pump or tee'd down from the horizontal return line. Neither looks good, I need to find a better way to run the 1/2" RO tubing to the reactor without it hanging all over the place.

Im going to mount the tank controller, doser, vortech controllers etc, over on the right just in case something drops, I don't want it falling into the sump.
It's going to be tight with all the equipment installed.

 

[tom g]

build

great build so far Elliott deff following along .....

did I read correctly fesso u downsizing

 

[duckhams]

Got it all plumbed up, water tested and flushed it for debris, and no leaks! The plumbing isn't exactly as I had envisioned, but it does the job. I totally forgot to use red PVC inside the stand and have ended up with a black and white system, which I quite like actually. I'll post more pics of the finished plumbing etc once I get it in to the house tomorrow.